A few weeks ago, I was doing something completely routine—picking up groceries in the WinCo parking lot—when something disturbing happened right in front of me.
A man was strangling a woman inside a parked car. There was screaming, hair pulling, hitting. It was raw and violent, and it was happening in broad daylight.
I called 911 immediately.
Within five minutes, Meridian police officers were on the scene. The chaos quickly shifted to calm. The officers handled the situation with professionalism and compassion—not just for those involved, but for me as well. I was just a bystander, but they treated me with kindness and respect.
It wasn’t until I stepped into the store that the full weight of what I had witnessed hit me. I stood there shaking, overcome with emotion and gratitude that no one was seriously hurt. I know that was only because of how quickly and effectively those officers responded.
Just days later, another incident reminded me how close domestic violence always is—how it’s not something that happens “somewhere else.”
A woman came into our Meridian Faces of Hope Center with her mother after enduring a horrific night of abuse by her partner. He had a history of violence and access to firearms. Soon after she arrived, he tracked her down and began pounding on our doors.
We called 911.
Once again, Meridian PD was there within minutes. One of the officers even greeted our advocates by name—they’ve come to our Centers many times when someone wants to make a report. They knew the stakes. And they delivered. The officers calmed the abuser, checked in on the survivor to make sure she was okay, and ensured that everyone inside was protected.
These experiences have stayed with me—not just because they were frightening, but because they were eye-opening.
Domestic violence is far too often ignored. It’s hidden behind closed doors. It’s minimized, dismissed, or excused. As a bystander, I could have looked away—but at what cost? What would have happened if no one had called for help? If no one had stepped in? The truth is, domestic violence touches all of us. One in three women and one in four men will be impacted by abuse in their lifetime. It’s happening in our neighborhoods, our homes, our workplaces—and yes, even in grocery store parking lots.
What struck me most in both moments was the bravery of our local law enforcement. Watching them work, I was reminded how dangerous and complicated their jobs are. They don’t know what they’re walking into—but they go anyway. They put their lives on the line to protect our community, and they do it with empathy and skill.
To the Meridian Police Department: thank you. Thank you for answering the call, and for showing up with courage and compassion when we need you most.
